Chapter 6

Nang ma-inlove ako sa'yo

Kala ko'y pag-ibig mo ay tunay

Pero hindi nag-tagal lumabas din ang tunay na kulayAng iyong kilay mapag-mataas at laging namimintas

Pero sarili kong pera ang iyong winawaldas

I was annoyed as fuck, like fucking fuck! Dahil ang lintek kong kapatid kanina pa kanta ng kanta. Ang sarap na sungalngalin ng bibig nya sa sobrang ingay. The heck with that song? Is that the new trend now? Ang baduy!

He is here inside my office. Kanina ko pa sya pinapalabas pero ayaw niya. This fucker really enjoy annoying me.

He feels like he's in a concert and I am his fan. He's holding the remote, making it as his microphone while singing on top of his lungs like a fucking idiot.

Para kang sphinx ugali mo'y napaka-sting

Kung hiyain mo ko talagang nakaka-shrink

Girlie biddy bye bye don't tell a lie

Bakit mo ako laging dini-deny

"Will you please shut your fucking mouth!? I can't fucking work!" I scolded him once again but the brute didn't listen to me. Humakbang pa ito palapit sa akin at nagpatuloy sa pagkanta with matching action pa.

All the goods I've done wala man lang recognition

Mahilig kang manguleksyon binalewala aking atttention

'Yo anyway everyday iba't ibang guys ang iyong ka-text

And then one time nahuli kita na mayroon kang ka--

Tinapat niya ang mikropono sa mukha ko, urging me to sing pero tinabig ko ito. What the hell is wrong with him? Anong kape ba ang nalaklak niya dun sa baba at maaga palang ang taas na ng energy niya?

Mas gugustuhin ko pa na magpa-crucify

Kesa harap-harapan mo akong stupify

So don't be mad so don't be sad

Lahat ng kabulukan mo'y ilalahad

Doon ko na tinakpang ang tenga ko. He's loud as fuck! Tuwang-tuwa ito sa kalokohan niya at ayaw paawat.

"Stop it Gaston Pierre! You're not funny! Give me back my peace. Leave!"

(STUPID) Love, soft as an easy chair

He sang while grinding his body like a fucking bar dancer.

What the fuck?!

(STUPID) Love, fresh as the morning air

"Stop, Fucker!"

He turned to my side and danced annoyingly, teasing me more. I pushed him but he is like a sturdy tree.

(STUPID) Love, that is shared by two

He held my face, like a fucking shit.

"Fuck you, Gaston!" Eww this fucker!

(STUPID) Love, I found in you

He then, kissed me in the cheek.

What the hell?!

I stood up and about to punch him but the brute ran away from me like a fucking idiot. He's like a two year old kid wiggling his butt at me. Ang kulit niya at ang tigas oa ng ulo. Saan ba sya pinaglihi ni Mamá? Bakit ganito sya kaligalig?

"Pangit mo talaga ka-bonding kuya. Kaya ka tumatanda eh. Yan tuloy napagkamalan kang dragon ni Chich--ni Chiara."

"What did you say?" I scowled at him but the brute left like a flash.

"Bye Kuya! I love you!" He waved and blew a kiss to me. "Puntahan ko muna si Chiara!"

And oh that girl. Akala niya siguro makakatakas sya sa akin. Pwes sinasabi ko ngayon palang hindi.

I was so annoyed waiting for my brother to show up in my fucking office but the brute is nowhere to be found. Natapos na lang ang meeting ko pero wala pa ito. Wala din ito sa opisina niya at hindi alam ng sekretary niya dahil hindi daw nito sinasagot ang tawag.

Pinatawagan ko sa sekretarya ko ang ibang opisina at baka andun lang ito pero wala din daw. Kung saan-saan na naman kayang lupalop ito napadpad ngayon? Ang sabi niya sa akin kanina ay susunod sya agad sa akin pero natapos nalang kami walang Gaston na nagpakita.

This is what I don't like about Gaston Pierre. He is so childish. Kaya hindi siya sineseryoso ng mga empleyado dito dahil para syang bata kung umasta. Daig niya pa ang batang grade 1 kapitan sa kakulitan niya.

He's the exact opposite of me na kulang na lang din bugahan lahat ng mga empleyado ko. I don't want them wasting their time looking at me. I know I'm handsome already and I don't want it when people are staring at me.

Ayokong tinitingnan nila ako kapag naglalakad ako, ayoko nang binabati ako at ayoko ng mga feeling close sa akin.

I don't want people liking me. I have learned my lesson.

Never trust again.

"Where the hell are you, Gaston Pierre? What time is it already?"

I don't want wasting my time calling this annoying brother of mine but I don't have a choice. I have some important matters to discuss with him and I need him right now in my office.

"Kuya naman eh, nagkakape pa ako."

What the fuck? Kaya wala sya sa opisina niya dahil nagkakape sya? Seryoso ba ang gagong 'to?

"Stop wasting my time Gaston Pierre. Come here in my office. Now." I said coldly. I am strict to my employee and Gaston Pierre is not an exemption. Pero hindi umuubra ang pagka strikto at pagsusungit ko sa kanya dahil tinatawanan niya lang ako. Lalo niya lang akong inaasar kapag nakikita niyang naiinis ako.

Palibhasa alam niyang hindi ko siya kayang tiisin. Siya ang nag-iisang kapatid ko kay Mamá at Papá pero may limang kapatid pa ako sa ibang babae ni Papá. It's a long story but to make it short, I have triplet and twins siblings.

"Nagkakape pa kami ni Chichay eh, hindi niya pa ubos ang kape niya. Alangan naman iiwan ko sya dito."

Chichay? Who the fucking hell is this Chichay? A fling? Girlfriend?

Hindi ba sila marunong pumili ng oras para sa kape-kape na yan? And what did he just say? Hindi pa tapos magkape? Paano kung matagal ubusin ng Chichay na yun ang kape e di malamang di niya rin iiwan?

"Who the hell is Chichay? Finish your monkey business and--"

"Nandito lang ako sa coffee shop ni Cleo Kuya, aakyat din ako mamaya dyan. Chill, kalma."

Who the fuck give this crazy the right to cut me when I'm talking? And what did he just laugh at me? This brute is making fun of me in front of this Chichay?

"Kaya ka tumatanda kuya eh. Ang aga-aga pa oh, init na agad ng ulo. Unsaon nimo pagpangitag uyab ana nga sige man kag kasuko?" [Paano ka makakahanap ng girlfriend niyan eh palagi kang nagagalit?]

Who said that I'm looking for fling? I don't do relationship. I fuck and leave.

"Shut your mouth, Gaston. I'm not looking for a fling."

This Gaston Pierre is really getting into my nerves. How dare him talk to me like that? Nagpapasikat sya sa Chichay na kasama nya? Who is this girl? Baka ito ang bad influence sa kapatid ko kaya sinasagot sagot na ako nito ngayon.

"Ah sus atik pa jud Kuya uy! Sayang atong genes ug di modaghan. Pero seryoso Kuys, naa nakoy nakita para nimo. Dili ni pang-fling lang. Bagay mo Kuys, promise!" [Ah sus, kunwari pa si Kuya. Sayang ang genes natin if hindi dadami. Pero seryoso Kuya, may nahanap na ako para sayo. Hindi pang fling lang. Bagay kayo Kuya, promise!]

He just won't stop. He is at his game again and I'm starting to get annoyed already.

"The fuck, Fucker!? Stop playing around Gaston. Finish your fucking coffee and get up here, now."

I muttered angrily. I swear kung nasa harap ko lang ang gagong 'to tutuktukan ko talaga sya.

"Nagkakape pa nga si Chichay Kuya." He reasoned and there I lost it.

"I don't care whoever that Chichay, Gaston. I need you here now!" I cut the call without waiting for his reply.

But, I know that brute. Kapag ganyan na marami syang rason alam kong hindi sya pupunta kahit pa maubos ang battery ko kakatawag sa kanya. That annoying and loud brother of mine is as hard headed as fuck! Sobrang tigas ng bungo nya.

"Sir, are you going out? The presentation will start in a few--"

"Cancel."

"But Sir, some managers are in the conference hall already."

I glared at her. Aling banda sa salitang cancel and di niya naintindihan? It's just one word. Why are they so dumb?

"Do your work or I'll fire you." I said and stormed out my office annoyed.

Bakit ba ang daming bobo sa araw na 'to? Kaninang umaga lang may isa ding bobong humarang sa dinaraanan ko. Hindi niya ba alam na private lift ko ang nasa harapan niya?

Anong palagay niya dito sa building ko, mall? Para magtingin-tingin sya?

Who's that girl anyway? What is she doing here. I don't see any of my employee wearing that type of clothes. They have their uniforms and even the janitors have theirs too.

"He's in the coffee shop." That's Silas smirking and he walked passed me without waiting for my reply.

I didn't asked him though. How did he know that I'm looking for Gaston? He's the son of Dad's business partner and I don't know what the brute is doing here today.

When I looked at him he's already out of my sight? Where did the fucker go?

Irate with the people around I went straight to Cleopatra's coffee shop only to be welcomed by my brother's annoying laugh. The brute is too busy laughing and chitchatting to a girl.

Halos mapunit ang bibig nito sa laki ng ngiti niya. Hindi pa nahiya ang lakas pa ng boses kung makatawa. Akala nya siguro sya lang ang tao dito.

In front of her is a girl, not sure if the same girl I bumped into this morning. His hair is black and Gaston is holding her hand.

What the hell , Gaston Pierre?

Is this what you get in studying abroad?

Fucking PDA?!

Many people are looking at them. The other are even raising their brows while looking at the girl whom I can't see the face.

Some of the people inside the coffee shop are my employees which I don't mind eve if it's office hours. For as long as they doing their work properly and can finish the work on time then it's fine. Wag lang ma-late ng walang valid reason or else no words asked, terminated.

When my employees saw me, they all stood up and take their things to go out. Nag-uunahan pa ang mga ito pero masungit ko lang silang tiningnan.

Then, I walked slowly to where my fucking brother was sitting. He didn't notice me at first because he's too pre-occupied talking and making pa-cute to the girl. Such a pre-schooler move, so lame.

"Dragustavo what?" Gaston Pierre exclaimed laughing. The brute saw me already and he smiled even more.

" Oo dragustavo dahil mukha siyang dragon na pangit."

Dragustavo?

D-dragustavo what?! Same reaction with my brother when I heard that word clearly coming from her mouth. Seems like she's mad at me but I don't even know her. Sabagay hindi na ako magtataka kung madaming galit sa akin.

Probably ninety-nine percent of my employees were mad at me. They just can't leave this company because they are well compensated and the benefits are good. Their salary are even higher compare to the other companies here in the city.

Kahit masama ang ugali ko, I value my people. Hindi nga lang halata dahil palagi akong nagsusungit sa kanila.

Pero ang pagpaahalaga sa mga empleyado ko dito ang isa sa mga natutunan ko kay Daddy nung nagte-training palang ako sa kanya.

But wait back to this girl and my brother. Are these two talking about me? Kaya ba hindi niya maubos-ubos ang kape niya at hindi siya maiwan-iwan dito ni lintek kong kapatid dahil pinagchi-chismisan nila ang buhay ko?

"Dragustavong pangit? Si Kuya Gustavo ko?"

Gaston repeated looking at me while asking those questions. Really Gaston Pierre are you really confirming in front of me that I am pangit?

I'm way more handsome than the five of you combined. You all didn't even made it to one fourth. Kahit pagsama-samhin pa kayo ng mga magkakambal na yun, of course except for the princess.

"May iba pa ba? Malamang yung kuya mong dragon! Kulang nalang bugahan ako ng apoy ng kapatid mong pinaglihi ata sa dragon na masama ang loob."

What the hell is happening right now? Can someone explain this to me? Did this young miss just called me dragon? What did I do to her? I don't remember I met her. And what ako pinaglihi sa sama ng loob?

Gaston's face turned sour but it's so obvious that he wants to laugh like a fucking idiot right now.

"Yung matandang dragustavong pangit na yun, may araw din yun sa akin. Baka akala niya natatakot ako sa kanya. Pwe!"

Ano! Ako matanda!? Hell no! Do I look that old to her? Who is this kid ba? Is she the same person I bumped into this morning? It's not my fault kung tatanga siyang humarang sa dinaraanan ko. Hindi niya ba alam na walang humaharang sa akin dito? This building is mine. I am the owner. My place, my rule.

"Hindi ka natatakot sa Kuya ko?"

Hah! I smirked. Are you crazy Gaston Pierre? People here in this building fear me. Meron bang hindi takot sa akin dito? Are you asking what's abc? Your asking the very obvious. I am Gustavo Orion Sandoval, you dumb fucker!?

She didn't answer.

Good girl.

But to my fucking surprise the girl answered aggresively.

"Bakit ako matatakot sa kanya? Sino sya? Bangasan ko pa yung sasakyan niya eh. Aabangan ko pa yun dyan sa labas."

Long deafening silence filled the place. Kahit ang paggalaw ng baso ng mga umiinom ng kape ay wala akong narinig. Everyone was silenced with her answer.

Even my brother didn't expect that. His reaction changes. His face turned sour like he's about to poop.

I glared at him. In my mind I was already beating him for talking about me behind my back. And this feisty woman, who the hell is she?

"Nung umulan ata ng sama ng loob sinalo lahat ni dragustavo kaya ang pangit ng pag-uugali niya. "

I know masama ang ugali ko, no need for you to rub it in my face dahil tanggap ko na yan. Pero yung bigyan ako ng petname na dragustavo? Young Miss you're wrong in that part, like what the fucking hell is that?

Me? Dragustavo? You didn't only murder my name but you also insulted me.

"Nga pala sabihin mo dun sa Kuya mong matanda na pasalamat sya at nandito sya sa balwarte niya. Wag kamo siyang pakalat-kalat sa palengke ng Metro Manila kundi babangasan ko siya."

Oh really?

Feisty huh? That's when I stepped in.

"Ano ba?" She shouted when she turned around and bumped at me but I didn't move.

I even took a step closer to her and held her in the waist closing our distance. She flinched but I locked her with my arm.

Ang tapang-tapang mo ang liit naman pala ng bewang mo. Seriously this small body, babangas sa akin? Saan niya kinuha ang lakas ng loob niya?

I can even crash her with one hand. She's not that petite but because I'm big she looks small for me.

When she looked up I stared at her intensely. Her beautiful pair of midnight black eyes welcomed me. S-she's familiar.

"Why don't you tell me personally, young miss?"

I was expecting that she'll be scared of me but to my surprise she just rolled her eyes at me like she didn't say anything hilarious. She even have the guts to look at my brother who is now suppressing his damn laugh for me. Then she rolled her eyes on him, too.

"Giatay nimo Chiara! Siya na gyud ang para nimo Kuys. Mao na jud na ang mopitol nimo. Good luck na lang daan!"

[Liverspread, Chiara! Joke! (I don't know what's giatay in tagalog. That's bisaya expression. Only bisaya can relate. But I think it's like, what the hell, Chiara!) Siya na talaga ang para sayo Kuys. She's the one who can tame you. Good luck in advance!"

She didn't understand what my brother said but she glared at him before she shifted her gaze at me.

Then, without a warning she pushed me in the chest. " Tabi, uwi na ako."

My shoulder slacked.

Seriously?

She talked to me like that? Hindi niya ba ako kilala?

"Bitiwan mo nga ako!" She tried to wiggle and removed my hands from her waist but I pulled her more to me.

People now are looking at us. My annoying brother is also there on the side watching us like he's watching his favorite cartoons.

He even giggled like a fucking teenager. "Yiieeee!"

"Where do you think you're going, young Miss?" I muttered. She's still looking up at me, fighting back the intensity of my stares.

Really feisty.

"Uuwi na ako kaya lumayo ka! Hindi porket amo ka dito natatakot na ako sayo."

"Oh really? What if I call a security."

"Wag po takot ako." She said acting in a scared tone then scoffed. "E di tumawag ka. Wala kong kasalanan sayo uy, bakit may ninakaw ba ako sayo?"

Yeah right. He didn't steal anything from me. But of course I can't let her go just like that. I even pulled her closer to me, caging her more.

"Isa nalang talaga namumuro ka na sa akin. Pag ako di nakapagtimpi mababangasan ka na talaga sa akin."

Ang tapang akala mo talaga kung sinong malaki. Eh ang liit-liit naman ng bewang. I mean katawan.

"Bitaw sabi." Mas tumapang na ang boses nito pero nginisihan ko lang sya. I'm even enjoying looking at her reaction. She looks more gorgeous when she's mad.

What the fuck, Gustavo?

She's too young gago!

"Alam mo ikaw ang sama talaga ng ugali mong matandang dragon ka ano? Kanina pa ako nagtitimping sugurin ka eh. Apaka yabang mo na akala mo naman sino kang gwapo!"

"Why? Am I not?"

Madaming naghahabol sa mukhang 'to. Girls are even dying just to have my attention tapos heto siya nilalait ako?

"Hah! Gwapo?" Then she laughed. "Patawa ka boi! Yang mukhang yan gwapo na yan? Kung ikaw nalang din naman wag nalang uy!"

I feel offended at what she said but I admit I find her cute when she said that.

It's the first time someone talked to me like that but yeah it's fine when it's coming from her. At least she's different from the rest and that's what makes her unique.

"Makauwi na nga sinayang niyo lang oras ko. Ayaw ko na dito at baka mahawaan pa ako ng pangit mong pagmumukha at pag-uugali, Sir Dragustavo!?" She said mocking. "Di na ako mag-aapply. I resign!"

Malakas na tumawa si Gaston. "Hanep ka, Chiara! Idol na talaga kita. Resign agad? Di pa nga nakakapagsimula." Pero inirapan niya lang ito tsaka tinabig na ako.

"Tabi!" Malditang niyang tabig sa akin." Sayo natong biodata ko! I*****k mo sa bibig mo." Malakas niyang hinampas sa dibdib ko ang folder na dala niya.

"Sinayang niyo lang pera at oras ko. Lugi pa ako! Di na ako magtatrabaho sa 'yo bye—"

"You're hired." I said. Her eyes widened in shock and before she could utter a word I turned my back at her leaving her dumbfounded.

"Naknampucha ang rupok ni Kuya!" Gaston exclaimed but I went out of the coffee shop without looking.

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